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Rio Police Operation Spurs Disputed Death Toll After Bodies Brought to Square

Federal authorities say no request for troops arrived, contradicting the governor's claim of withheld support.

Overview

  • Officials report 64 dead, including four police officers, after the Oct. 28 raid in northern Rio de Janeiro.
  • Residents and eyewitnesses say more than 50 civilians were killed and that families removed bodies from the neighborhoods.
  • G1 reports at least 64 bodies were placed in Praça São Lucas, with its tally suggesting up to 128 deaths, and Brasil247 cites a total as high as 134.
  • Roughly 2,500 officers took part in the operation targeting the Comando Vermelho criminal group in favela complexes.
  • Governor Cláudio Castro calls the action successful and faults Brasília for not sending troops, as Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski says no request was received and the figures remain contested.